ADHD is a behavioral disorder present in about 10% of school-age children. Because parenting children with ADHD can be a challenge, it is important to know of five basic guidelines for doing so. These areas focus on the parental relationship; communication by physical mirroring; offering positive feedback; creating discipline and good boundaries; and promoting physical activity.
Are your school-aged children part of the 10% with ADHD? Here are five helpful hints to help you.
Five key strategies for parenting children with ADHD.
First the bond you create with your ADHD child is instrumental in cementing self-esteem and self-valuation. Make them feel important rather than ‘different’. Second, parents need to mirror the child, being aware that your physical communications will show him or her how you feel about their behavior. Third, show appreciation for your ADHD child’s accomplishments. Even small gestures of will evoke motivation and self-confidence. Fourth, arrange routine activities on a disciplined schedule, sketching out everything to create good boundaries and a feeling of security and stability. Children with ADHD will need higher than average structure and organization to succeed in life so it is best they get in this habit early. Fifth, it is absolutely vital to encourage your kid to exercise and engage in physical activities. Exercise is found to both stimulate the brain and ameliorate the feelings of anxiety, depression and frustration that are part of having ADHD.
Parents should act as a ‘mirror’ for the kid. Like a mirror reflects your facial expressions, how you treat your child will determine his opinion of how you feel about them. According to Kids Health, make eye contacts with pleasant and loving expressions.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- ADHD affects approximately ten percent of all school children.
- Parents are the best advocate as they assist their learner with self-esteem by acknowledging their accomplishments.
- Parents should mirror their child’s reaction while keeping eye contact to retain the child’s attention.
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